Rainfall barely can slow decline of Medina Lake

Updated 3:12 pm, Friday, April 5, 2013

In an area that normally is covered by water, a field of bluebonnets (at bottom right of photo) now is blooming at Elm Cove.

In an area that normally is covered by water, a field of bluebonnets (at bottom right of photo) now is blooming at Elm Cove.

Photo: Photos By Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News

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A chair and other debris sit on the dry bottom of Medina Lake. As the water drops, more items are exposed.

A chair and other debris sit on the dry bottom of Medina Lake. As the water drops, more items are exposed.

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Medina Lake started to drop when the current drought began in October 2010. Without substantial rainfall the lake may not have any water to release by the end of summer, an event that has not occurred since the drought of record in the 1950s.

Medina Lake started to drop when the current drought began in October 2010. Without substantial rainfall the lake may not have any water to release by the end of summer, an event that has not occurred since the

Karen Ripley, a resident of the Medina Lake area, investigates a boat left on the bottom by the receding waters of Elm Cove, a portion of Medina Lake, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Karen Ripley, a resident of the Medina Lake area, investigates a boat left on the bottom by the receding waters of Elm Cove, a portion of Medina Lake, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Randall Myers, left, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife inland fisheries division, and Chris Heyen, who runs the Red Cove Cafe & Marina at Medina Lake, explore the waters of the lake.

Randall Myers, left, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife inland fisheries division, and Chris Heyen, who runs the Red Cove Cafe & Marina at Medina Lake, explore the waters of the lake.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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The Medina Lake Dam is marked by various water levels throughout its history. The lake is currently 80 feet below conservation pool due to drought. Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

The Medina Lake Dam is marked by various water levels throughout its history. The lake is currently 80 feet below conservation pool due to drought. Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Karen Ripley, a resident of the Medina Lake area, investigates a Jeep that the receding waters have left exposed at Elm Cove on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Karen Ripley, a resident of the Medina Lake area, investigates a Jeep that the receding waters have left exposed at Elm Cove on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A lakeside home stands far above the receding waters of Medina Lake, which has dropped to 6.5 percent of capacity on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

A lakeside home stands far above the receding waters of Medina Lake, which has dropped to 6.5 percent of capacity on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Floating docks rest on the bottom of Medina Lake at Red Cove on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. The lake is at only 6.5 percent of capacity.

Floating docks rest on the bottom of Medina Lake at Red Cove on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. The lake is at only 6.5 percent of capacity.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Rain clouds form over Medina Lake, which is about 80 feet below conservation pool due to drought.

Rain clouds form over Medina Lake, which is about 80 feet below conservation pool due to drought.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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As the drought persists, Texas lakes are drying up, including one of San Antonio's favorite hangouts. Click through the gallery for photos of the lake vanishing over the last few years.

As the drought persists, Texas lakes are drying up, including one of San Antonio's favorite hangouts. Click through the gallery for photos of the lake vanishing over the last few years.

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The Red Cove Marina still floats on water as Medina Lake levels continue to drop, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014.

The Red Cove Marina still floats on water as Medina Lake levels continue to drop, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Medina Dam is seen from Old Medina Dam Road south of the dam, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014.

Medina Dam is seen from Old Medina Dam Road south of the dam, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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The dropping level of Medina Lake is marked on Medina Dam, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. According to today's reading by the Texas Water Development Board, the lake is at 3.5-percent capacity.

The dropping level of Medina Lake is marked on Medina Dam, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. According to today's reading by the Texas Water Development Board, the lake is at 3.5-percent capacity.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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The dropping level of Medina Lake is marked by exposed land in this view from Medina Dam, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. According to today's reading by the Texas Water Development Board, the lake is at 3.5-percent capacity. less

The dropping level of Medina Lake is marked by exposed land in this view from Medina Dam, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. According to today's reading by the Texas Water Development Board, the lake is at 3.5-percent ... more